SO(3) monopoles, vortices and confinement in SU(2) gauge theory

Abstract

We report on further progress in our programme of understanding confinement in 3d and 4d SU(2) gauge theory in terms of Z(2) monopoles. A sufficient condition for confinement was previously translated into Z(2) monopole correlation inequalities in a related SO(3) gauge theory. We shall discuss the physical picture underlying this scenario and present some Monte Carlo evidence concerning the monopole correlation inequalities.

Comments: Talk presented at LATTICE96(topology), 3 pages LaTeX, 2 figures (in LaTeX), uses esprc2.sty